A great-grandfather who has dedicated his life to raising his extended family in challenging circumstances has been nominated for a Merton Civic Award by his grand-daughter.

Peter Blandford, 76, of Streatham Road, Mitcham, is in the running to win the parent or carer award, which aims to acknowledge and reward those who have dedicated their time and made a difference to those they care for.

Mr Blandford has dedicated his life to taking care of his disabled son, Michael, 50, and his wife Lilian, 73, who is also disabled. He took in his grand-daughter Lauren, 13, when she was 21 months old and his great-grandson Mark, seven, when he was five months old.

Mark is disabled and needs 24-hour care, requiring a wheelchair when out of the house.

On learning of his nomination, Mr Blandford said: "I’m a bit shocked. Everyone says I’m doing a better job than the social services, even they said so.

"I wouldn’t do anything else; I should’ve looked after children as a job."

Mr Blandford describes his family as ‘very happy’, despite coping with the deaths of three of his six children.

Lauren, Mr Blandford’s grand-daughter, nominated her grandfather for the award. She said: "He has a lot to cope with but never complains about it.

"He has brought us up as his own children and I think we need to pay him back for what he has done for us, so this is to say thank you to him for all he has done for us over the past 12 years."

There is still time to nominate someone for a Merton Civic Award. Visit the website wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mertoncivicawards or fill out a form in the newspaper by the end of May.